2017-09-08

Keeping pace with the future

Our objective: Excellent tools for excellent components. To achieve this, specially tailored, highly efficient processes are crucial – from procurement, preparation, provision and use, through to the reconditioning of the tools. With its portfolio of apps and digital tools, Walter AG has opened up a whole new world of services and other possibilities when it comes to tools, machinery and machining concepts. This allows areas with the potential for optimisation along the entire process chain to be quickly identified and effectively exploited, and boosts efficiency within the production environment.

The powerful combination of Walter AG's "Engineering Kompetenz" and its digital expertise has for many years been exactly what our customers need to create their very own smart factory. This expertise has recently been consolidated by the acquisition of data and networking specialists Comara. Mirko Merlo, CEO of Walter AG, describes Walter's partnership with Comara as "an important strategic step in expanding our digital portfolio and further developing our company with Industry 4.0 in mind." Together, we are developing digital solutions that will network machines and tools and optimise their work using real-time data. Comprehensive digital networking, from the planning stage to the finished component, is the ultimate goal.

Users in the field have already been reaping the rewards of the digital solutions born of the close collaboration between machining experts and software specialists

Walter Tool·ID for example has been proving its worth for some time now. This digital solution makes it possible to continuously monitor all the tools used in a production process. Tool life is also checked and tools are always replaced at exactly the right time. Walter Tool ID enables the user to transfer tool data from the pre-setting device directly to the machine and to evaluate the parameters that are used for the machine. If you are already familiar with Walter Tool·ID, you will be all the more excited to see what digital solutions Walter AG has in store for you at EMO 2017.

One of our proudest additions to the Walter digital portfolio is without a doubt the new Walter AppCom app

The Walter AppCom is a keen collector that never falters. "The Walter AppCom app gathers large volumes of machine, tool and process data," explains Florian Böpple, Manager of the Digital Manufacturing department at Walter. This might be status information, for example, which tells the Production Manager what every single machine is currently doing in real time, what tool is being used and how. This technology allows entire machining processes to be broken down in minute detail: Which tool was being used and for how long? Under what kind of conditions? The ratio of non-productive time to productive time. All these things and more are documented by the Walter AppCom app. "No-one needs to stand next to the machine recording data any more," concludes Florian Böpple. "Instead, users can view precisely the information they need on the Walter AppCom app."

Data drives greater process efficiency

Drawing on the data collected allows areas with the potential for optimisation to be pinpointed more quickly and more precisely, and enables processes to be analysed, managed and improved more efficiently. This customer benefit remains a focal point of all Walter's digital solutions.
Come and see Walter AG at EMO 2017, the metalworking industry's leading international trade fair, in Hanover. We will be there from 18th to 23rd September 2017, in Hall 3, Stand B34.

Walter AG: Keeping pace with the future

High resolution pictures to the news for the press can be found in the info box "PRESS DOWNLOADS" ​as attachment in the PDF.​​